Deep Breathing Meditation for Infinite Bliss & Spiritual Awakening

I discovered the amazing patterns of breathing and their correlation to mental states in a wholly unexpected way. After my initial spiritual awakening, I experienced ecstatic states of mind, which then turned to profound states of peace and silence. When I entered into these tremendous states of stillness, my breathing always slowed down dramatically. As I entered into the stillness, my breathing would become deeper and slower, the in-breath would be 30-40 seconds long. There would be a holding of breath for 30-40 seconds, then the exhalation for 30-40 seconds. I encountered these patterns numerous times, with no effort on my part to either extend my breath or to make it deeper.

It was later on that I learned from reading books on yoga that this was called pranayama breathing, an ancient technique practiced by seekers to attain inner calm, peace and bliss. The amazing thing was, if I practiced these patterns of breathing, it would bring in deep stillness and joy. I experimented with breathing patterns and being aware of the breath, which helped in attaining inner calm and joy.

In the last decade, there has been a lot of scientific research on breathing and the effect it has on the mind and body. Slowing down the breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn clams the body and the mind. Calming breath techniques can help in blood pressure reduction, anxiety relief and heal the mind.

Below you will find a 3 step meditation approach to finding bliss through calming breath meditation.

Mindful Breathing Exercise for Relaxation

This mindful breathing meditation will help you to connect with your breath. It will teach you to be aware of the breath. Being aware of the breath calms the mind and helps restore balance.

Start with a relaxed and comfortable position. You can either lie down or sit.

If you are sitting on a chair or on the floor, try and keep your back straight.

You can keep your hands where you feel comfortable.

Mentally relax your body.

Take a slow deep breath. Exhale

Pay attention to the natural rhythm of your breath, focus on how it flows in and out of your body.

Focus on the sensations of the breath, the flow of air, the rise and fall of the abdomen

Feel the sensations of breath. You can hear the gentle sound of your breath.

Be with your breath. Stay with it.

Feel it progressively growing deeper and calmer.

If your mind starts wandering, gently bring it back to the breath.

Do this for at least 5 minutes to start with, increasing the duration as you progress.

This is the second stage of the breath meditation and it should be practiced only after you have practiced the first level for a few days.

In this deep breathing meditation, we will combine the first meditation we learned above with our conscious presence. The basic steps are same as meditation 1, but with deeper awareness on the sense of presence, the joy of being alive, the immensity of the present moment. This mediation is the doorway to infinite joy, energy and rejuvenation.

With every breath, become aware that you are alive and conscious.

Every breath is a breath of joy, of being here and now.

With every breath, draw in a little deeper, a little fuller, expanding your abdomen as you breath.

With every breath remind yourself how amazing it is to be alive.

With every breath remind yourself how amazing it is to be conscious.

Your breath is here and now.

You are the breath. The breath is you.

Every breath is a breath of joy.

For this mediation to be effective, you need to feel deeply the above emotions. You need to fill yourself up with the sense of being alive, here and now.

Do this for at least 10 minutes to start with, increasing the duration as you progress.You can make this meditation a part of your everyday activity as well.

Breath – Deeper Awareness

Check back soon for this final meditation practice.

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2 Responses

James Callahan

Thank you for writing such a beautiful article. You have expressed what I have been thinking and experiencing for some time now. It is good to know that there are people who have had similar insights. The spiritual journey is amazing.

ANBUKKARASI MANOHARAN

First Nadi Shodana should be performed. Inhaling as long as possible, say 24 counts and exhale as long as possible say 48 counts.

Then Pranayama : Inhaling: Internal Retention: Exhaling: External Retention should be done/practiced in the ratio 12:48:24:24 minimum so as to reach breathless state which will immediately lead to thoughtless/No Mind stage which is deep meditation. Try to maintain that state as long as possible. Occasionally deep breathing can be done. But immediately resume to that Kevala Kumbaka state of external retention of breath. We can easily reach stillness/void state of Self Awareness.

The above technique is the one I follow successfully and could be able to reach no mind state which will bring profound peace and blissfull shivering all over the body.